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Blunting Effect
Boring
Carving
Comments
Common Names
Common Uses
Countries of Distribution
Cutting Resistance
Distribution Overview
Drying Defects
Ease of Drying
Environmental Profile
Family Name
Gluing
Grain
Heartwood Color
Kiln Drying Rate
Kiln Schedules
Light-Induced Color Change
Luster
Mortising
Moulding
Movement in Service
Nailing
Natural Durability
Natural Growth Defects
Numerical Data
Odor
Planing
Polishing
Product Sources
References
Regions of Distribution
Resistance to Impregnation
Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
Routing & Recessing
Sanding
Sapwood Color
Scientific Name
Screwing
Strength Properties
Texture
Trade Name
Tree Identification
Tree Size
Turning
Veneering Qualities
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Common Names
Acajou umbaua, African mahogany, Banket mahogany, East African mahogany, Iluli, Kaonde, M'bane, Mahogany, Mbamba, Mbaua, Mbawa, Mkangazi, Mozambique mahogany, Mtondoo, Mtondoro, Mubaba, Mubawa, Mululu, Mururu, Muvava, Muwawa, Myofu, Nyasaland mahogany, Red mahogany, Umbaba, Umbaua
Regions of Distribution
Africa
Countries of Distribution
[VIEW MAP]
Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Common Uses
Agricultural implements, Bedroom suites, Boat building (general), Boat building, Boat building: planking, Building materials, Cabinetmaking, Canoes, Carvings, Chairs, Chests, Clogs, Desks, Dining-room furniture, Drawer sides, Exterior trim & siding, Exterior uses, Fine furniture, Flooring, Furniture , Furniture, Interior construction, Interior trim, Joinery, Kitchen cabinets, Lifeboats, Light construction, Living-room suites, Mathematical instruments, Medicinal use, Moldings, Office furniture, Paneling, Particleboard, Pencil, Plywood corestock, Plywood, Pulp/Paper products, Radio - stereo - TV cabinets, Shakes, Sheathing, Shingles, Shipbuilding, Siding, Sporting Goods, Tables, Toys, Turnery, Veneer, Wardrobes, Windows
Environmental Profile
| Status has not been officially assessed |
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Distribution Overview
East and Central Africa
Heartwood Color
| Brown |
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| Red |
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| Purple |
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| Black |
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| Pink |
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| Pale red to pink |
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| Reddish brown |
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| Red |
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| Dark brown |
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Bright red or pink when first cut, fading to an even, light pink-brown when dry. It eventually matures into a lustrous golden brown color
Sapwood Color
| White |
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| Yellow |
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| Pink |
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| Paler than heartwood |
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| Well defined |
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| White to yellow |
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Freshly-Cut sapwood is lighter in color than the heartwood, but it darkens to a similar color.
Grain
| Figure |
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| Straight |
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| Interlocked |
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| Wavy |
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| Stripe (figure) |
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| Other (figure) |
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| Closed |
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| Even |
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| Irregular |
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| Rippled (figure) |
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| Fiddleback (figure) |
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| Straight |
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| Interlocked |
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| Wavy |
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| Striped figure |
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| Other figure |
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| Rippled figure |
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| May be wavy or curly |
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| Irregular |
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| Fiddleback figure |
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Texture
| Coarse |
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| Medium |
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| Medium |
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| Fine to medium |
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| Uniform |
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Luster
| Medium |
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| Low |
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| Lustrous |
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| Slightly lustrous |
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Natural Growth Defects
| Whitish deposits in vessels |
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Natural Durability
| Durable |
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| Resistant to termites |
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| Moderately durable |
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| Durable |
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| Susceptible to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles |
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| Resistant to attack from termites (Isoptera) |
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| Non durable |
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| Resistant to attack from powder post (Lyctid & Bostrychid) beetles |
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| Heartwood moderately resistant to decay |
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Weathers extremely well
Odor
| No specific smell or taste |
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Light-Induced Color Change
Kiln Schedules
| Drying (speed) is fast |
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| Kiln Drying Rate (in days) is rapid |
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Drying Defects
| Splitting |
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| Slight twist/warp |
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| Slight end splitting |
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Wild grain or tension wood may cause distortion because of excessive and uneven shrinkage.
Ease of Drying
The timber dries rapidly with little degrade, except in boards with wild grain or tension wood.
Kiln Drying Rate
| Rapid (<10 days for boards < 32 mm, to <30 days for boards >= 63 mm) |
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Tree Identification
| Bole/stem form is straight |
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| Bole/stem form is buttressed |
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| Bole/stem form is cylindrical |
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Tree Size
| Bole length is 0-10 m |
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| Bole length is 10-20 m |
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| Tree height is 10-20 m |
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| Tree height is 20-30 m |
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| Trunk diameter is 100-150 cm |
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| Trunk diameter is 150-200 cm |
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| Trunk diameter is 200-250 cm |
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| Trunk diameter is 250-300 cm |
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Develops boles that are usually straight, cylindrical and free of branches for 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 m).
Product Sources
The timber is often marketed together with those of other Khaya species as African mahogany. Supplies in the lumber form are plentiful in a wide variety of sizes. The wood is also available in plywood form from many suppliers at a moderate price
Comments
Abnormal Wood Tissue
Abnormal wood tissue in the form of tension wood may be present.
General finishing qualities are rated as good
The timber is generally similar in strength and other properties and is used for the same purposes as other African mahoganies, K. ivorensis and K. anthotheca .
Blunting Effect
Boring
| Responds readily to boring operations |
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| Easy |
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Carving
Cutting Resistance
| Easy to saw |
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| Cutting Resistance with green wood is easy |
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| Cutting Resistance with dry wood is easy |
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No difficulty has been encountered sawing smaller logs. However, some logs are so large that there is a problem with machinery breaking down. Saws may bind during rip-sawing, and may burn during cross-cutting. Correct saw maintenance techniques are necessary to prevent a woolly finish.
Gluing
Mortising
| Moderately easy to mortise |
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| Finishes satisfactorily |
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| Easy to mortise |
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Material containing wild grain and tension wood may be difficult to mortise.
Moulding
| Moulding ease is moderate |
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| Good moulding properties |
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| Easy to mould |
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Movement in Service
The timber is dimensionally stable after seasoning to the appropriate moisture content.
Nailing
The nailing properties of this timber are variable, and are believed to be generally poor. Pre-boring is advised, especially when nailing areas close to the edge of backsawn boards.
Planing
| Ease of planing is moderate |
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| Planes well, to a good finish |
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Reduced cutting angles are recommended in planing quartersawn material, or pieces with interlocked grain.
Resistance to Impregnation
| Heartwood is highly resistant |
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| Sapwood is moderately resistant |
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Resistance to Splitting
Response to Hand Tools
| Easy to Work |
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| Easy to machine |
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The wood responds well to hand tools
Routing & Recessing
Routing and recessing qualities are rated as good in straight grain material
Sanding
Screwing
| Pre-Boring suggested before screwing |
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Turning
| Fairly Easy to Very Easy |
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| Finish is generally satisfactory |
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| Turns fairly well |
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| Good results |
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Veneering Qualities
| Easy to cut |
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| There is slight to moderate drying degrade and the potential for buckles and splits |
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| Suitable for slicing |
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| Suitable for peeling |
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| No drying degrade. Dries flat without splitting |
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| Bolt preparation requires steaming |
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Polishing
Strength Properties
| Density (dry weight) = 38-45 lbs/cu. ft. |
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| Density (dry weight) = 31-37 lbs/cu. ft. |
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| Max. crushing strength = medium |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = low |
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| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = very low |
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| Shrinkage, Radial = very small |
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| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = low |
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| Hardness (side grain) = soft |
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| Shrinkage, Tangential = small |
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| Modulus of Elasticity (stiffness) = very low |
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| Density (dry weight) = 46-52 lbs/cu. ft. |
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| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = medium |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = medium |
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| Shrinkage, Tangential = very small |
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| Density (dry weight) = 23-30 lbs/cu. ft. |
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| Shrinkage, Radial = small |
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| Shearing strength (parallel to grain) = low |
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| Max. crushing strength = low |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = very high |
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| Bending strength (MOR) = high |
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Numerical Data
| Item | Green | Dry | English |
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| Bending Strength | 7429 | 11443 | psi |
| Density | | 39 | lbs/ft3 |
| Hardness | | 1075 | lbs |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 3482 | 6037 | psi |
| Shearing Strength | | 1437 | psi |
| Static Bending | | 7134 | psi |
| Stiffness | 1190 | 1376 | 1000 psi |
| Specific Gravity | | 0.52 | |
| Weight | 36 | 29 | lbs/ft3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 2 | | % |
| Tangential Shrinkage | 5 | | % |
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| Item | Green | Dry | Metric |
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| Bending Strength | 522 | 804 | kg/cm2 |
| Density | | 624 | kg/m3 |
| Hardness | | 487 | kg |
| Maximum Crushing Strength | 244 | 424 | kg/cm2 |
| Shearing Strength | | 101 | kg/cm2 |
| Static Bending | | 501 | kg/cm2 |
| Stiffness | 83 | 96 | 1000 kg/cm2 |
| Specific Gravity | | 0.52 | |
| Weight | 576 | 464 | kg/m3 |
| Radial Shrinkage | 2 | | % |
References
Alan Schwartz. Rio Rivuma, Boston, MA. Personal Communication, 1993.
Audas, J.W.,Native Trees of Australia,Whitcombe & Tombs PTY. Ltd
Banks, C.H., Schoeman, J.P., Otto, K.P.,1977,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with particular reference to South,Africa,South African Forestry Research Institute Bulletin,(Ed.,Schoeman, J.P. 1973 & Otto K.P. 1976,No.48
Banks, C.H.,1954,The Mechanical Properties of Timbers with Particular Reference to those,grown in the Union of South Africa,Journal of the South African Forestry Association,No. 24 pp.44-65,[South,African Forestry Journal]
Bois, P.J.,1966,The Strength Properties of Tanzania Timbers,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi Tech. Note, No.35
Bolza, E., Keating, W.G.,1972,African Timbers - the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 700 Species,C.S.I.R.O. Div. of Building Research
Bryce, J.M., Norcross, H.,1961,The Resistance of Tanganyika Timbers to Impregnation,Tanzania Forest Dept. Util. Sec .Tech. Note,No.28
Erfurth, T., Rusche, H.,1976,The Marketing of Tropical Wood A. Wood Species from African Moist Forests,F.A.O. Forestry Department
Fortin, Y., Poliquin, J.,1976,Natural Durability and Preservation of 100 Tropical African Woods,International Development Research Centre, Canada
France - C.T.F.T./C.T.B.,1982,Guide pour le Choix des Essences Deroulables-pour la fabrication du,contreplaque,C.T.F.T./C.T.B. France
Greenway, P.J.,1947,Mahogany in East Africa 1 The Khayas,East African Agricultural Journal,13,pp8-14,[East African Agricultural,and Forestry Journal]
HMSO, 1981. Handbook of Hardwoods, 2nd Edition. Revised by R.H. Farmer. Department of the Environment, Building Research Establishment, Princes Risborough Laboratory, Princes Risborough, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
I.U.F.R.O.,1973,Veneer Species of the World,Assembled at F.P.L. Madison on behalf of I.U.F.R.O. Working Party on,Slicing and Veneer Cutting
Kline, M. 1981. Khaya spp. - African mahogany. In A Guide to Useful Woods of the World. Flynn Jr., J.H., Editor. King Philip Publishing Co., Portland, Maine. Page 201-202.
Lincoln, W.A. 1986. World Woods in Color. Linden Publishing Co. Inc., Fresno, California.
McCoy-Hill, M.,1955,Timbers of Tanganyika - Afrormosia and East African Mahogany,Timber Technology,63(2196, pp538-9
Murira, K.,1984,Natural Durability Tests of Tanzanian Timbers 1955 - 1982,Tanzania Forestry Research Institute, Timber Utilisation Research Centre,,Moshi.
Palgrave, K.C.,1977,Trees of Southern Africa,Cape Town South Africa
Pardy, A.A.,1953,Notes on Indigenous Trees and Shrubs of S.Rhodesia - Khaya nyasica Stapf,ex Baker f.,Ministry of Agriculture and Lands S.Rhodesia Bulletin No.1712
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Tanzania Forest Division,1966,Kiln Drying Schedules for Tanzania Timbers Technical Note no.38,Tanzania Forest Div. Util. Sec. Moshi
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